What are you worth to God? What was the price to buy back your soul from darkness? The cost for your heart was weighty – the blood of God himself.
God himself is put on trial before a court of liars. He remains silent and embraces torture, mockery, and death on our behalf. Good Friday is only good because Jesus was not a victim on the cross, but a conqueror.
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Today's Bible verse is Revelation 4:11 from the King James Version.
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Speaker 1: The punishment that brought our peace was on him, and
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Speaker 1: by his wounds we are heal Isaiah fifty three five.
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Speaker 1: Dear Lord, to day, on this good Friday, I'm mindful
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Speaker 1: of the sacrifice it took to redeem mankind. You forfeited
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Speaker 1: the throne and exchanged it for a cross, all so
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Speaker 1: I could be saved. That's a heavy truth that I
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Speaker 1: will not easily forget. Keep your cross on my mind
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Speaker 1: all day to day. I want to feel the gravity
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Speaker 1: of your work on that hill. Let it affect me
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Speaker 1: deeply to day, so I might fully experience Easter's joy
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Speaker 1: in Jesus name.
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Speaker 2: Amen.
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Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me to day. You're listening
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Speaker 1: to the Jesus Podcast, a unique retelling of the Gospel stories.
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Speaker 1: Continue with us on this journey to experience the life
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Speaker 1: of Christ in a cinematic and transformative way. If you
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Speaker 1: want to partner with us in our mission to bring
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Speaker 1: the Bible to life in new ways, follow this podcast
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Speaker 1: on whatever platform you're listening to. Doing so will keep
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Speaker 1: you updated, but also help us get discovered by more people.
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Speaker 1: That way, we can reach the whole world with the
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Speaker 1: story of Jesus. The sky above became dark and thunder rumbled.
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Speaker 1: As the temple soldiers brought Jesus before Chiavus, nature began
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Speaker 1: its rage as the son of God was brought before
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Speaker 1: a court of liars. The chief priests and council met,
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Speaker 1: intending to bring forth false testimony against the man from Nazareth.
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Speaker 1: The floors in the hall of polished stones reflected the
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Speaker 1: light from the torches. Nearly one hundred people gathered there
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Speaker 1: to reside over Jesus. They had prepared testimonies against him.
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Speaker 1: They considered themselves defenders of the law, condemning a radical,
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Speaker 1: blasphemer and enemy of God. They were woefully mistaken. The
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Speaker 1: temple soldiers brought him in with his hands bound. Jesus
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Speaker 1: stood silently before the sanhedron, ready to be tried and condemned.
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Speaker 1: Caiaphas leaned from his seat and raised his voice for
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Speaker 1: all to hear.
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Speaker 3: Jesus of Nazareth, we have brought you here to be
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Speaker 3: tried on account of blasphemy and conspiracy to destroy the temple.
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Speaker 3: How do you plead?
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Speaker 1: Jesus, face bruised by the guards, remained silent. His eyes
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Speaker 1: looked forward with bold determination. His silence made Caiaphas blood
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Speaker 1: boil with rage.
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Speaker 3: Very well, if you won't speak, we have reliable witnesses
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Speaker 3: who have come to testify against you.
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Speaker 4: Bring them in.
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Speaker 1: Two witnesses entered the court, but neither were reliable by
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Speaker 1: any stretch of the imagination. Their pockets were bulging with bribes.
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Speaker 1: To testify against Jesus. They stood before Caiaphas with mock regality,
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Speaker 1: bowing and then pointing to Jesus.
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Speaker 5: This man threatened to destroy the temple. He claimed he
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Speaker 5: could rebuild it in three days.
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Speaker 6: One of them spat, not only has he spoken with demons,
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Speaker 6: but he has accepted people's worship as if he.
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Speaker 4: Was God himself.
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Speaker 6: He even claims to be the Christ, the long awaited
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Speaker 6: Messiah and son of God.
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Speaker 2: Another sneered, blasphemy of the highest debris.
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Speaker 1: The high priests said, with gritted teeth. He looked at
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Speaker 1: his captive with contempt. Chiaphus stood to his feet, attempting
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Speaker 1: to threaten Jesus with his presence.
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Speaker 3: Have you no answer?
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Speaker 1: But Jesus remained silent, like a lamb ready for slaughter.
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Speaker 4: By the Living God.
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Speaker 5: Answer me, are you the Christ, the son of the
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Speaker 5: Living God?
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Speaker 1: The high priest yelled, his voice reverberated against the cold
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Speaker 1: stone walls of the courtroom. Chiaphus thought he was accusing
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Speaker 1: a blasphemous criminal, not fathoming he was actually speaking to
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Speaker 1: a king. Jesus rose his chin to the high priest
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Speaker 1: looming over him. He had no intention of backing down
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Speaker 1: or running away. He was determined to accept whatever.
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Speaker 2: The Lord had for him.
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Speaker 1: So, with strength booming from his voice, he sealed his
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Speaker 1: fate and gave a decisive deck of his identity.
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Speaker 6: You have said it, and so it is. But I
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Speaker 6: tell you will see the son of Man seated at
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Speaker 6: the right hand of power and coming on the clouds
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Speaker 6: of heaven.
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Speaker 1: The entire court room erupted with rage, and Caiaphas tore
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Speaker 1: his robes. Amidst a cacophony of curses and false testimony,
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Speaker 1: came just one word death. The soldiers bound him, already
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Speaker 1: given the orders before the trial had begun. They dragged
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Speaker 1: him out of the hall of polished stones, eager to
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Speaker 1: teach him a lesson. Kiaphas, palms gripping the table, and
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Speaker 1: pent up rage whispered through his teeth. This will be
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Speaker 1: the end of Jesus, Sodain Hazarath.
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Speaker 7: What are you worth to God? What was the price
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Speaker 7: to buy back your soul from darkness? The cost of
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Speaker 7: your heart was weighty, the blood of Jesus. Welcome to
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Speaker 7: the Jesus Podcast, another story showcasing the depth of Christ's
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Speaker 7: love and the glory of God's truth. This is Zach
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Speaker 7: frompray dot Com, excited to be with you as we
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Speaker 7: delve into this dramatic journey on Good Friday. If this
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Speaker 7: podcast has offered any value to your life and you're
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Speaker 7: wondering how to support us, you can do so by
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Speaker 7: following and subscribing. Doing so will help us get seen
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Speaker 7: on apples, Spotify, and other platforms so other people can
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Speaker 7: experience these stories and be transformed by the Gospel. We
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Speaker 7: truly love your partnership. Thanks for making this possible. Today's
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Speaker 7: Good Friday a time to reflect on the Cross and
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Speaker 7: consider the enormity of Christ's sacrifice. The road to the
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Speaker 7: Cross was rot with politics, gore, and heartache. Before Jesus
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Speaker 7: died on the cross, he had to face the persecution
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Speaker 7: of a court, floggings from Roman soldiers, and the mockery
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Speaker 7: of crowds and kings. The story of Good Friday is
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Speaker 7: not for the faint of heart. It's a tale of
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Speaker 7: torment and tragedy, yet through it all we don't lose hope.
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Speaker 7: Hebrews twelve to two tells us that Jesus pursued the
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Speaker 7: cross with joy, rejecting the shame of crucifixion and seeing
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Speaker 7: his death as a mission to free humanity from sin.
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Speaker 7: Through all the suffering, Jesus keeps his face set like
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Speaker 7: a flint on salvation. Good Friday is an excellent opportunity
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Speaker 7: for us to sombrely reflect on the enormity of Christ's
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Speaker 7: death and our sin that put him there. That is
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Speaker 7: why we're gonna pause several times through this extended episode
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Speaker 7: to reflect and consider our hearts. Prepare yourself for Good Friday.
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Speaker 7: The chief priests have condemned Jesus, but he still needs
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Speaker 7: to be seen by Pilot and King herod men who
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Speaker 7: think they have power.
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Speaker 2: Let's begin.
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Speaker 1: Jesus' hands were bound and a sack was placed on
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Speaker 1: top of his head so he couldn't see. The guards
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Speaker 1: threw him down the stairs and into the dirt. Jesus
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Speaker 1: slowly lifted himself to his knees, but was swiftly struck
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Speaker 1: in the jaw by one of the guards. Jesus propped
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Speaker 1: himself up with a sack still over his head, blocking
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Speaker 1: his vision. Another guard wound up and kicked Jesus in
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Speaker 1: the temple, knocking him back on the floor.
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Speaker 4: You say you're a prophet. Eh.
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Speaker 2: Another jabbed to the face.
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Speaker 4: Then prophes are who struck you?
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Speaker 1: Another blow to the jaw. Blood began to soak through
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Speaker 1: the sack. The guards took off the sack, took Jesus
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Speaker 1: by the beard, and tossed him down another flight of
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Speaker 1: stairs leading to the outer courtyard. Peter stared blankly into
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Speaker 1: the flame, mind racing from the day's events. He stood
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Speaker 1: beside the fire, the embers warming. A group of onlookers
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Speaker 1: outside the temple, anxiously waiting to hear about jesus sentence.
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Speaker 1: Jesus was before the Sanhedron in the hall of polished Storms,
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Speaker 1: being tried by Caiaphas for blasphemy. Peter kept his hood
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Speaker 1: on and occasionally stole glances at the temple. He was
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Speaker 1: worried about Jesus and fearful that they might take him
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Speaker 1: as well. His resolve was eroding with each passing moment. Peter,
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Speaker 1: once brave and brash, was losing his courage. The coals
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Speaker 1: produced a dark smoke and gave off an earthly scent.
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Speaker 1: Peter's eyes followed the rising smoke, watching it blend seamlessly
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Speaker 1: with the dark storm clouds above. As Peter looked up,
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Speaker 1: the firelight illuminated his worried face. A servant girl sat
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Speaker 1: on the other side of the fire.
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Speaker 2: And noticed Peter.
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Speaker 1: She recognized him as one of jesus followers.
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Speaker 2: I know you, the girl.
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Speaker 6: Said, you're one of his followers.
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Speaker 1: Peter's eyes widened in panic. If she recognized him, one
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Speaker 1: of the guards near by would as well. He lowered
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Speaker 1: his head and mumbled in answer to the girl, I
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Speaker 1: don't know what you're talking about. I don't know him.
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Speaker 1: The words of denial stung on Peter's lips, but he
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Speaker 1: couldn't risk being discovered. Peter kept his hood secured over
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Speaker 1: his eyes. His large cloak hid his trembling body. Thoughts
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Speaker 1: of Jesus's fate swirled around in his mind. The group
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Speaker 1: by the fire spoke about Jesus, speculating what would become
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Speaker 1: of him. As they spoke, a man nudged Peter on
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Speaker 1: the shoulder, saying, I think.
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Speaker 2: That girl was right. I remember you. You're his friend.
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Speaker 1: I'm not Peter said swiftly, this time with more authority.
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Speaker 1: His anxiousness was leaking. An hour passed, the storm clouds
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Speaker 1: swirled above with foreboding speed. A commotion emerged from the temple.
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Speaker 1: As Jesus was tossed down the stones, guards bound him
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Speaker 1: by a rope and struck him.
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Speaker 2: In his lips.
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Speaker 1: Peter turned to see Jesus, exposing his face again to
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Speaker 1: the light. That's when another man shouted.
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Speaker 4: You you are one of his followers. Ah, I know
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Speaker 4: a Galilean when I see one.
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Speaker 1: Peter turned with anger in his eyes. He pointed a
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Speaker 1: finger at him and cursed.
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Speaker 4: I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know him.
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Speaker 4: I never knew him.
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Speaker 1: And just as those words left Peter's mouth, he heard
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Speaker 1: the crow of a rooster. Jesus had told him that
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Speaker 1: he would deny him three times before the rooster crowed.
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Speaker 1: Peter's eyes darted toward the temple. There in the dirt,
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Speaker 1: now Jesus. Peter's eyes locked with his. Time slowed. At
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Speaker 1: that moment, Peter was slowly descending into a sea of shame.
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Speaker 1: His eyes watered at, his throat clenched. Peter ran away,
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Speaker 1: leaving Jesus behind. He ran to the shore, knelt in the.
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Speaker 2: Sand, and wept bitterly.
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Speaker 1: The sea took his tears, but he's shame remained present
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Speaker 1: within him.
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Speaker 7: Could you imagine Peter's guilt in that moment? Fear gripped
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Speaker 7: him and kept his faith in the shadows. And right
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Speaker 7: as he was denying Jesus for the third time, the
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Speaker 7: rooster crowed and Jesus looked right over at Peter. The
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Speaker 7: horror of looking into our Savior's eyes right as we
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Speaker 7: are sinning against him can't be understated. Peter is about
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Speaker 7: to spiral into a shameful and dark pit of despair.
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Speaker 7: In the coming episodes, we're going to explore his inner
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Speaker 7: turmoil and guilt. He's going to become paralyzed by his shame,
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Speaker 7: unable to move forward. Jesus, on the other hand, won't
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Speaker 7: waver in his resolve. We are going to dive back
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Speaker 7: into our story now. Jesus is going to be brought
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Speaker 7: before two very powerful men.
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Speaker 2: These men think.
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Speaker 7: They have power, but Jesus is actually exactly where he
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Speaker 7: wants to be. They have the illusion of control, but
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Speaker 7: God is ultimately steering the ship.
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Speaker 2: Here.
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Speaker 7: Let's continue our story. Jesus is about to be dragged
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Speaker 7: into the halls of King Herod. A dangerous and unhinged man.
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Speaker 7: He's a loose cannon. Let's see how Jesus deals with him.
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Speaker 1: They took Jesus by his beard and dragged him away
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Speaker 1: into the decadent courts of Herod. The palace reeked of debauchery.
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Speaker 1: Platters of meat, cheeses, and fruit were scattered everywhere. Women
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Speaker 1: leaned on pillars, arms intertwined with rich nobles from Jerusalem.
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Speaker 1: Herod was an indulgent man, known for his rash decisions
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Speaker 1: and emotional ruling. Like his father before him, Herod was
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Speaker 1: unhinged and daneus. He was the one to execute John
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Speaker 1: the Baptist, serving his head on a silver platter to
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Speaker 1: his wife's daughter. The Roman guards brought Jesus before Herod,
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Speaker 1: with the procession of religious leaders behind him, ready to
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Speaker 1: make a case against him. Already drunk from a night
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Speaker 1: of hedonism, Herod laughed and clapped when Jesus arrived.
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Speaker 4: Yes, at last, I get to see Jesus of.
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Speaker 1: Nazareth, Herod slurred, joyfully.
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Speaker 5: I heard you were able to discern water and the
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Speaker 5: wine here to fill my cup?
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Speaker 3: Will you?
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Speaker 1: The cord laughed as Herod pressed the cup near jesus
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Speaker 1: mangled face. Jesus turned and said nothing. Pouting in jest,
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Speaker 1: Herod teased.
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Speaker 5: Come now, Jesus, I have the power to set you free.
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Speaker 5: Show me if you ricks, and maybe I'll put a
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Speaker 5: good word in for you. The pilot.
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Speaker 1: Still no response from the son of God. He would
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Speaker 1: not humor Herod's mockery. Herod was growing agitated, bucked his
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Speaker 1: head to the side and got closer to Jesus's face.
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Speaker 5: What did you do to warrant the ire of these
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Speaker 5: priests and pharisees. They don't just want you in prisoned
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Speaker 5: like your you're treason his cousin. No, they want you dead.
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Speaker 5: What did you do?
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Speaker 3: He is a blasphemer and threatened the temple.
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Speaker 2: One of the priests shouted, that.
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Speaker 4: Man says he's the king of the Jews.
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Speaker 1: Another man shouted that accusation got Herod's attention. He grabbed
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Speaker 1: Jesus by the chin violently and asked, king of the Jews.
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Speaker 1: Herod's eyes were no longer glazed over like a drunkard.
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Speaker 1: They were arc and focused like a predator.
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Speaker 4: Do you think you are a king?
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Speaker 2: Jesus?
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Speaker 4: Do you think you can rule better than me. Do
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Speaker 4: you think you can rule better than I have?
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Speaker 5: Are you another zealous.
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Speaker 4: Trying to overthrow Rome.
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Speaker 5: My father did his due diligence to secure this throne,
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Speaker 5: and I won't have some nobody from Nazarene undo what
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Speaker 5: he and I have built.
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Speaker 1: There was a long pause as Herod looked into Jesus' eyes.
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Speaker 1: Jesus looked at Herod without guilt. It made Herod angry.
00:16:41
Speaker 1: A bit nervous, Herod let go of his chin and smiled.
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Speaker 1: Herod clapped his hands and commanded his servants to grab
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Speaker 1: some splendid royal robes.
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Speaker 5: Am, we have a king in our midst, ladies and gentlemen,
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Speaker 5: We must get him into his royal robe.
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Speaker 1: They draped Jesus in expensive and royal clothing and pretended
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Speaker 1: to bow to him. Then Herod poured his cup on
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Speaker 1: top of his head and spat in his face. The
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Speaker 1: servants and nobles in the court of Harod all began
00:17:16
Speaker 1: throwing food and insults at Jesus. The son of God
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Speaker 1: remained silent, turning his cheek towards the west, where destiny
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Speaker 1: awaited him.
00:17:28
Speaker 4: Get him out of my sight.
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Speaker 1: Herod commanded. He waved to Jesus mockingly and said.
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Speaker 4: Bye bye, King of the Jews.
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Speaker 5: Have fun with Violet.
00:17:40
Speaker 4: Tell him, I said hello.
00:17:43
Speaker 1: From the court room to the courtyard, the Son of
00:17:46
Speaker 1: God was drug around like a common criminal, eventually landing
00:17:51
Speaker 1: at the feet of pontious Pilot. The masses screamed for
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Speaker 1: his crucifixion. The Pilot did not see a criminal him.
00:18:02
Speaker 1: There was an undefined quality about this man that made
00:18:06
Speaker 1: Pilot pause. Pilot leaned over his desk, scanning the bruised
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Speaker 1: and beaten Jesus before him.
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Speaker 8: Tell me, Jesus, are you the King of the Jews?
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Speaker 1: Pilot asked, matter of factly. Jesus had been silent until now,
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Speaker 1: but Pilot's question prompted him to respond. Although Pilot was unaware,
00:18:31
Speaker 1: Jesus could see the war within him. Pilot wanted something
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Speaker 1: to believe in. As a Roman, he heralded Caesar, but
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Speaker 1: Jesus could see Pilot's mind and heart. There was something
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Speaker 1: deeper at work.
00:18:47
Speaker 6: Is this question coming from you? Why have others sold
00:18:51
Speaker 6: you about me?
00:18:53
Speaker 1: Jesus asked with a raspy voice. His breaths were strained
00:18:57
Speaker 1: from beatings. Paused, then scoffed and waved his hand.
00:19:04
Speaker 8: Do I look like a jew to you. I don't
00:19:07
Speaker 8: care who you are, but you've angered the chief priests
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Speaker 8: enough to be before me. What did you do to
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Speaker 8: make them hate you so much?
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Speaker 1: Jesus took a single step forward and said.
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Speaker 6: I am a king, but my kingdom is not of
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Speaker 6: this world. If it were, my servants would fight to
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Speaker 6: prevent my arrest.
00:19:30
Speaker 2: My kingdom is not here.
00:19:32
Speaker 1: Pilot ap peered at Jesus. He was unlike anyone he
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Speaker 1: had ever met before. He certainly wasn't a criminal.
00:19:40
Speaker 2: So you are a king, then, Pilot declared, you have
00:19:45
Speaker 2: said it. Jesus replied, the.
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Speaker 6: Reason I was born and came into this world is
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Speaker 6: to testify to the truth. Everyone who's on the side
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Speaker 6: of truth hears me and listens.
00:19:58
Speaker 2: The truth.
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Speaker 1: Pilot scoffed, what is truth? Pilots stood up from his
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Speaker 1: desk and circled Jesus.
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Speaker 8: My job used to keep the peace by any means necessary.
00:20:10
Speaker 8: There's a mob out there hungry for blood, your blood.
00:20:15
Speaker 8: They want you to be executed, but I don't think
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Speaker 8: you're guilty. Let's see if we can appease those thess
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Speaker 8: for blood some other way.
00:20:25
Speaker 1: Pilot gestured for his guards to come near.
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Speaker 8: Bring out Barabbas. We will see just how loyal these
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Speaker 8: Jews are to their king.
00:20:34
Speaker 1: Pilot brought Jesus on to the balcony, overlooking a square
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Speaker 1: filled with angry people. The chief priests and pharisees had
00:20:42
Speaker 1: gathered them all to cheer for his death. On the
00:20:47
Speaker 1: other side of the balcony stood Barabbas, a convicted terrorist
00:20:51
Speaker 1: to Rome and murderer. Barabas was chained to the guards,
00:20:57
Speaker 1: unkempt and clearly on him. Pilots stood before the people
00:21:03
Speaker 1: and shouted.
00:21:04
Speaker 8: I find no guilt in this man you've brought before me.
00:21:08
Speaker 8: Now it is your custom for me to release one
00:21:11
Speaker 8: prisoner during the time of passover. Who shall I release?
00:21:15
Speaker 8: Shall it be this king of the Jews.
00:21:19
Speaker 1: Pilot thought that he could kill three birds with one stone,
00:21:23
Speaker 1: save Jesus, appease the people, and execute an enemy of
00:21:27
Speaker 1: the state.
00:21:29
Speaker 2: He was woefully wrong.
00:21:31
Speaker 4: Not him, give us Barabas.
00:21:35
Speaker 2: They shouted.
00:21:36
Speaker 1: The crowd clamored for Barabbas to be released. He represented
00:21:41
Speaker 1: what the Jews had hoped for in a savior, someone
00:21:44
Speaker 1: with the ambition to overthrow Rome. Jesus, however, had set
00:21:50
Speaker 1: his sights on an enemy far greater than Caesar. Pilot
00:21:55
Speaker 1: grimaced at the crowd, then took Jesus by the arm
00:21:59
Speaker 1: and escorted him back inside. He shoved Jesus and pounded
00:22:03
Speaker 1: his fist against the table.
00:22:05
Speaker 8: Enough games, enough riddles. That mob won't be satisfied until
00:22:10
Speaker 8: I do something to appease them. Tell me who you
00:22:14
Speaker 8: really are and what you've done so I can help you.
00:22:19
Speaker 1: Despite Pilot's attempts to aid him, Jesus remained silent, refusing
00:22:26
Speaker 1: to meet Pilot's gaze.
00:22:27
Speaker 8: Don't you understand I have the power to set you free?
00:22:31
Speaker 1: That last Pilot had Jesus' attention. The Son of God
00:22:35
Speaker 1: met his stare, undaunted by any threat of pain or
00:22:40
Speaker 1: looming death. You have no power over me, he said firmly.
00:22:45
Speaker 1: Pilot's eyes widened in confusion, then.
00:22:49
Speaker 2: Rage, And what did you to say to me? You
00:22:53
Speaker 2: have no authority over me.
00:22:55
Speaker 6: All the power you think you have has been given
00:22:58
Speaker 6: to you. But take heart, my blood will not be.
00:23:02
Speaker 2: On your hands.
00:23:03
Speaker 8: Pilots goffed, very well, King of the Jews, I wash
00:23:08
Speaker 8: my hands clean of this.
00:23:10
Speaker 1: Pilot brought Jesus out again. The mob irrupted him, curses.
00:23:14
Speaker 8: What shall I do with this prisoner? Tell me and
00:23:18
Speaker 8: it will be done.
00:23:20
Speaker 1: Stirred up by the Pharisees and chief priests, the crowd
00:23:23
Speaker 1: chanted crucify him.
00:23:26
Speaker 2: Oh, how fickle are the hearts of men.
00:23:29
Speaker 1: Just days prior, Jesus had been heralded as the son
00:23:33
Speaker 1: of David, But now a throng of people awaited him outside,
00:23:38
Speaker 1: yelling crucify him. Their cries for his blood filled the
00:23:43
Speaker 1: air like an animalistic wail. God's chosen hero kept his
00:23:49
Speaker 1: gaze forward as he walked, enduring the spitting and stones
00:23:55
Speaker 1: that came his way with silence. He arrived at the
00:23:59
Speaker 1: public square, filled with religious leaders and onlookers.
00:24:04
Speaker 2: It was time for the flogging.
00:24:09
Speaker 7: Caiaphas. The priests, Herod Pilate, and the soldiers all thought
00:24:13
Speaker 7: they had authority, but their power was nothing compared to Christ's.
00:24:17
Speaker 7: Jesus was supposedly the prisoner, but in reality he was
00:24:21
Speaker 7: the conqueror. Jesus's strength was not displayed by being the
00:24:24
Speaker 7: loudest person in the room or the most opulent person.
00:24:27
Speaker 7: His strength was shown by his willingness to follow through
00:24:30
Speaker 7: with his mission. The nature of true royalty is not
00:24:33
Speaker 7: having a lofty title or golden crown, but being willing
00:24:36
Speaker 7: to lay it all down for others. That is what
00:24:38
Speaker 7: Jesus did for us. Jesus endured beating, rejection, lies, mockery,
00:24:42
Speaker 7: and ridicule, all for our sake. Jesus's royalty was displayed
00:24:47
Speaker 7: through his humility. This is a lesson for all of us.
00:24:50
Speaker 7: Jesus said, if you want to be great in his kingdom,
00:24:52
Speaker 7: you must be a servant of all. Let's be mindful
00:24:54
Speaker 7: of that as we continue in our story. Jesus is
00:24:57
Speaker 7: about to be strapped to a wooden beam to be flogged.
00:25:00
Speaker 7: His suffering will be great. Remember this, dear friends. Everything
00:25:04
Speaker 7: we are about to hear was endured by Jesus for
00:25:08
Speaker 7: you and I. He had you in mind when his
00:25:10
Speaker 7: body was being torn to shreds. He had you in
00:25:12
Speaker 7: mind when he carried the cross. He had you in
00:25:15
Speaker 7: mind when he hung there to die.
00:25:20
Speaker 1: The Son of God was bound to a wooden beam
00:25:23
Speaker 1: that rose from the cobblestone floor. The rope bit into
00:25:27
Speaker 1: his wrists tightly, and the cold stone sent chills through
00:25:31
Speaker 1: his body. Three soldiers stood behind him, wielding cats of
00:25:36
Speaker 1: nine tails made with shards of glass, bone, steel, and fishhooks,
00:25:41
Speaker 1: weapons crafted by dark artists possessing knowledge of human agony.
00:25:47
Speaker 1: Jesus looked skyward once more and took in a deep breath.
00:25:52
Speaker 1: The winds continued to whistle west towards the mountain called Skull.
00:25:57
Speaker 1: He bowed his head, his words to his.
00:26:01
Speaker 6: Father, not my will, but yours be done.
00:26:06
Speaker 1: Then finally it began. A soldier stepped forth, shaking his
00:26:12
Speaker 1: whip in anticipation, like a hawk readying itself for flight.
00:26:17
Speaker 1: Like lightning, it struck against his back, sending pain searing
00:26:22
Speaker 1: through him. Yet still Jesus remained silent. The next soldier
00:26:27
Speaker 1: whipped at his ribs, tearing flesh beneath its claws. Again,
00:26:32
Speaker 1: there was no sound from our savior except for labored breaths,
00:26:36
Speaker 1: held until the torture had passed. But the torture wouldn't
00:26:40
Speaker 1: cease until Jesus was dead. Again and again, the soldier
00:26:47
Speaker 1: scourged Jesus. His flesh was reduced to ribbons, and his
00:26:52
Speaker 1: blood pooled beneath his knees. They continued their mockery by
00:26:57
Speaker 1: placing a crown of thorns on his head, laughing at
00:27:01
Speaker 1: this broken figure lying on a beam below them. Finally,
00:27:06
Speaker 1: they clothed him in a purple robe before bowing down
00:27:10
Speaker 1: in mock reverence. Cackles echoed throughout the square to signify
00:27:15
Speaker 1: their victory over the King of the Jews. Yet still
00:27:20
Speaker 1: he had made no noise in response, knowing what destiny
00:27:24
Speaker 1: awaited ahead. His legs quivered as he stood to his feet.
00:27:30
Speaker 1: The soldiers gasped in disbelief as he defiantly remained conscious,
00:27:35
Speaker 1: eyes fixed on the mountain. They unbound him and escorted
00:27:40
Speaker 1: him to the base of a hill, the hill Jesus
00:27:43
Speaker 1: had been waiting for golgotha calvary, the place of the skull.
00:27:52
Speaker 1: A wooden cross was placed upon his back as clouds
00:27:55
Speaker 1: churned above him, Lightning splintered the skies. As he took
00:28:00
Speaker 1: bok labored steps forward. With each step, blood trailed behind him.
00:28:06
Speaker 1: A scattering of insults from his enemies, intermingled with the
00:28:09
Speaker 1: cries of his followers, filled the air. He marched forward
00:28:14
Speaker 1: for all of them, not just his beloved disciples, but
00:28:19
Speaker 1: even the people chanting for his execution. Jesus' resolve was unyielding,
00:28:26
Speaker 1: fueled by love. With joy set before him, he endured.
00:28:33
Speaker 1: He marched with quivering legs. The cross strapped to his
00:28:37
Speaker 1: shoulders became heavier with each step. Finally, Jesus' strength gave
00:28:43
Speaker 1: out from under him, and he fell face first into
00:28:46
Speaker 1: the dirt. The weight of the cross was heavy on
00:28:50
Speaker 1: his chest, cracking several ribs. Get up, the soldiers commanded.
00:28:56
Speaker 1: Jesus could barely breathe, let alone get himself up. Finally,
00:29:01
Speaker 1: the soldiers picked a man from the crowd, a man
00:29:05
Speaker 1: named Simon from Syene.
00:29:07
Speaker 4: You there, dick up his cross and follow up the hill.
00:29:11
Speaker 1: Simon knelt down, meeting jesus gaze. Simon did not know
00:29:17
Speaker 1: Jesus yet, his blood soaked the top of his garment
00:29:20
Speaker 1: as he carried the cross for him the rest of
00:29:23
Speaker 1: the way up the hill. Atop the mountain, the peak
00:29:28
Speaker 1: of death and destruction was revealed two thieves hung on crosses,
00:29:35
Speaker 1: a chilling reminder of the fate awaiting Jesus. The wind
00:29:39
Speaker 1: whipped mercilessly around the hilltop, as if nature itself was
00:29:44
Speaker 1: raging against humanity. Jesus was thrown to the ground and
00:29:49
Speaker 1: placed on the cross. The Romans stretched his arms and
00:29:53
Speaker 1: feet with rope, then gathered the hammer and nails. The
00:29:58
Speaker 1: maker of heaven and Earth quieted his soul. They took
00:30:04
Speaker 1: large metal spikes in hand and drove them into his
00:30:08
Speaker 1: wrists and feet. He cried out in pain, and everyone
00:30:13
Speaker 1: watching whenced at the sight of it. Slowly and painfully,
00:30:20
Speaker 1: Jesus was then raised up for all to see God himself,
00:30:27
Speaker 1: by whom all things were created, Suspended in agony on
00:30:33
Speaker 1: a curse tree. The name carved into the wood below
00:30:37
Speaker 1: him was King of the Jews. As he hung between
00:30:42
Speaker 1: heaven and earth, his enemies gathered below, reveling in his suffering.
00:30:48
Speaker 4: He saved others let him save himself.
00:30:52
Speaker 2: They spat.
00:30:53
Speaker 1: Their words were venomous, meant to mock and ridicule, Yet
00:30:59
Speaker 1: Jesus love for them remained steadfast. With labored breath, he
00:31:04
Speaker 1: whispered a tender prayer to the creator.
00:31:07
Speaker 6: Father, recur of them, for they do not know what
00:31:11
Speaker 6: they're doing.
00:31:12
Speaker 1: One of the thieves joined in the mockery. With blood
00:31:15
Speaker 1: dripping from his chin. He spat and yelled, if.
00:31:18
Speaker 5: You're the Messiah, why don't JU get yourself down from here?
00:31:24
Speaker 4: Say us while you're at it.
00:31:27
Speaker 1: The thief laughed and coughed. The thief on the other
00:31:30
Speaker 1: side rebuked him, saying, have you no fear of good?
00:31:36
Speaker 1: His breath was labored and painful. He knew that he
00:31:40
Speaker 1: deserved to be punished for his crimes, but Jesus had
00:31:44
Speaker 1: done nothing wrong.
00:31:45
Speaker 6: Have you no fear of good?
00:31:48
Speaker 1: A brief and warm smile graced jesus cheeks. He encouraged
00:31:53
Speaker 1: the repentant thief and said.
00:31:55
Speaker 6: Truly, my friend, today you will.
00:31:57
Speaker 2: Bereath me imperatise.
00:32:00
Speaker 1: Jesus scanned the crowd below. His enemies cheered, his follower sobbed,
00:32:07
Speaker 1: and in the midst of them all was his mother Mary.
00:32:12
Speaker 1: The sword of sorrow had driven itself straight into her chest.
00:32:17
Speaker 1: She was broken, begging God for mercy.
00:32:20
Speaker 4: My baby by son, she whispered.
00:32:26
Speaker 1: Jesus looked at his beloved disciple, John, who was beside her.
00:32:30
Speaker 1: His own brothers were not present to comfort her, but
00:32:34
Speaker 1: John was there, a pillar of strength for his mother,
00:32:39
Speaker 1: crumbling under.
00:32:40
Speaker 2: The weight of her grief.
00:32:41
Speaker 1: With tears streaming down Jesus, bruised and bloody cheeks, he
00:32:46
Speaker 1: spoke to his mother.
00:32:47
Speaker 6: Mother, behold your son.
00:32:53
Speaker 2: Then he turned to John, his.
00:32:55
Speaker 6: Son, son, behold him.
00:33:01
Speaker 1: He charged John to look out for his mother, even
00:33:04
Speaker 1: in his agony. Bearing the weight of humanity sin on
00:33:08
Speaker 1: his shoulders, Jesus made sure his mother.
00:33:12
Speaker 2: Was cared for.
00:33:14
Speaker 1: Jesus leaned his head back, strained for breath.
00:33:19
Speaker 2: I thirst, he said to the guards.
00:33:22
Speaker 1: Not known for their compassion, the guards took a sponge
00:33:26
Speaker 1: filled with sour wine, often used for cleaning excrement. They
00:33:31
Speaker 1: lifted the sponge on on a hiss of branch and
00:33:34
Speaker 1: pressed it against jesus tongue. After tasting the sour wine
00:33:38
Speaker 1: and filth of humanity, Jesus prepared for his final moments.
00:33:44
Speaker 1: The tempest brewing since his arrival, was raging like a
00:33:48
Speaker 1: wild animal. At that moment, the god of all creation
00:33:54
Speaker 1: unleashed the fury of his wrath upon his son, the
00:33:58
Speaker 1: suffering and separate reserved for humanity. Since the fall cascaded
00:34:04
Speaker 1: on his shoulders. Heart failing, and spirit weakening, the son
00:34:10
Speaker 1: of God shouted to the heavens laments, shooting toward the.
00:34:15
Speaker 2: Heavens elie he lie.
00:34:19
Speaker 1: Last, he roared, My God, My God, why have.
00:34:27
Speaker 2: You forsaken me?
00:34:29
Speaker 1: God's promised redeemer held on to sin, death and despair,
00:34:36
Speaker 1: ready to carry it with him to the grave with
00:34:41
Speaker 1: a final declaration of victory over all the darkness that
00:34:45
Speaker 1: plagued God's children, the crucified king said.
00:34:50
Speaker 2: Het he finished, the heavens opened.
00:34:56
Speaker 1: Wide, and the skies poured out their lament with rain
00:35:00
Speaker 1: and lightning.
00:35:02
Speaker 7: All went dark, for the hope of mankind had died.
00:35:12
Speaker 7: Do you remember the hymn written by Stuart Townland? How
00:35:14
Speaker 7: deep the Father's love for us? Some of the verses
00:35:17
Speaker 7: go like this, How deep the father's love for us?
00:35:20
Speaker 7: How vast beyond all measure, that he should give his
00:35:23
Speaker 7: only son to make a wretch his treasure. How great
00:35:26
Speaker 7: the pain of searing loss? The Father turns his face away,
00:35:29
Speaker 7: as wounds which mar the chosen one bring many sons
00:35:32
Speaker 7: to glory. Behold the man upon that cross, my sin
00:35:36
Speaker 7: upon his shoulders, ashamed. I hear my mocking voice call
00:35:39
Speaker 7: out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held
00:35:42
Speaker 7: him there until it was accomplished. His dying breath has
00:35:46
Speaker 7: brought me life. I know that it is finished. I
00:35:50
Speaker 7: will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom.
00:35:54
Speaker 7: But I will boast in Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection.
00:35:57
Speaker 7: Why should I gain from his reward? I cannot give
00:36:00
Speaker 7: an answer, but this I know with all my heart.
00:36:03
Speaker 7: His wounds paid my ransom. The suffering endured by Jesus
00:36:07
Speaker 7: was a bold declaration of victory over sin, death, and despair.
00:36:11
Speaker 7: His sacrifice was a decisive act of love. Our sin
00:36:14
Speaker 7: sent him to the cross. He died a brutal death
00:36:17
Speaker 7: on our behalf. Good Friday isn't good because Jesus died.
00:36:21
Speaker 7: Good Friday is good because Jesus died and then rose
00:36:23
Speaker 7: again three days later, proving that sin, death and darkness
00:36:26
Speaker 7: have no power over the God of all creation. He
00:36:29
Speaker 7: is the victor, the champion, the hero of heaven. This
00:36:32
Speaker 7: story was meant to be weighty because the crucifixion is
00:36:35
Speaker 7: not lighthearted. My friends, we may wear these crosses on
00:36:38
Speaker 7: our necks, we may put them on our bumper stickers,
00:36:40
Speaker 7: but it was a brutal and agonizing slaughter. Good Friday
00:36:44
Speaker 7: is only good because of what happens on Sunday, But
00:36:47
Speaker 7: the event itself was dark and heart wrenching. May we
00:36:51
Speaker 7: never forget the mighty love of our God and the
00:36:53
Speaker 7: physical and existential pain Jesus endured on our behalf. Take
00:36:57
Speaker 7: time today to reflect on Christ's sacrifice. Take time to
00:37:00
Speaker 7: place yourself in the scene of his crucifixion, and remember
00:37:03
Speaker 7: that it was all done out of love for you.
00:37:05
Speaker 7: He wore your sin, He wore your filthiness so that
00:37:09
Speaker 7: you could wear his righteousness. He endured the wrath of
00:37:12
Speaker 7: God so that you can exist in eternal paradise with him.
00:37:16
Speaker 7: But remember, my friends, Sunday is coming, and death does
00:37:19
Speaker 7: not have the final word. Join us tomorrow for a
00:37:22
Speaker 7: somber day of darkness. Jesus' followers are scattered, but a
00:37:25
Speaker 7: few figures emerge from anonymity to pay their respects. Men
00:37:30
Speaker 7: you haven't heard from in a while, be sure to
00:37:32
Speaker 7: subscribe so you never have to miss an episode and
00:37:35
Speaker 7: for more inspiring stories, prayers, and daily devotionals, download the
00:37:39
Speaker 7: Prey dot com map today
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